In the raging Tornado, Viscount Stratford was like a helpless leaf blown down, on the verge of being torn to pieces at any moment.
In this state, he was completely unable to react, let alone speak. He could only rely on the powerful body of the " Punisher Knight " to barely hold on, hoping that he wouldn't lose an arm or a head in the terrifying hurricane.
He had thought the hunt was a success and that he was about to capture Trissy, and he was absolutely certain that she had no helpers. Therefore, he focused all his attention on Shermane. Little did he know that he would suddenly become the prey and fall into a trap that had no warning whatsoever.
Seeing that the Tornado was beginning to weaken, and that he had only suffered some damage from the impact without sustaining fatal injuries, Viscount Stratford quickly tried to regain control of his body to prepare for the possible battle that was about to begin.
Just then, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head, as if a sharp dagger had been plunged into it and twisted around.
This feeling was both familiar and unfamiliar to Viscount Stratford, because although he had never experienced it directly, he had "tried" it on many targets and observed their reactions.
This was one of the extraordinary abilities he used most skillfully:
" Spirit Piercing!"
Bang!
Having been attacked and unable to regain his balance, Viscount Stratford crashed heavily to the ground, the verdigris cross falling several meters away with a thud.
With a series of thuds, Hugh, carrying the " Blade of Coldness," strode forward and charged toward Viscount Stratford, who was struggling and trying to get up.
Before Fors had already skillfully flipped through " Lemano's Travel Notes," unfolding it to a page with a textured parchment-like surface.
As she slid her fingers, the shadows that had reappeared around Viscount Stratford came to life, solidifying into black chains that wrapped around and bound the target tightly.
Having just recovered somewhat and regained his senses, Viscount Stratford hadn't even had time to choose a target for punishment or to prohibit something to a certain extent before he lost his freedom once again, with even his mouth bound by a shadowy chain.
" The Abyss Shackles!"
Originating from the " Abyss Shackles " of those who are Mid-Sequence the Sanguine or the " The Moon " pathway!
After using it once, Fors was quite fond of this extraordinary ability and found it very practical. Therefore, he later spent gold pounds to have Mr. " The Moon," who had become Viscount, make a corresponding Record.
Bang!
Suddenly, Viscount Stratford unleashed a power surpassing his previous strength, shattering the shadow chains inch by inch.
He chose the "restraints" around him as the target of his punishment!
But at that moment, Hugh, like a high-speed Steam locomotive, rushed in front of him and swiftly thrust out the transparent triangular dagger.
With a soft "thud," the " Blade of Coldness " pierced the target's abdomen.
Viscount Stratford's body stiffened once more, his eyes becoming vacant, as if he had turned into an ice sculpture.
Hugh released his grip, letting the " Blade of Coldness " remain embedded in the stomach of the palace guard captain, seemingly wanting the " Evil Spirit " that might be on the weapon to continue "possessing" the target and forcibly controlling him.
Then, she swung her arm, clenched her fist, and slammed it down on Viscount Stratford's ear.
Under the double blow, Viscount Stratford fainted without uttering a sound, his body stiffening as he collapsed once more.
After delivering the blow, Hugh left Fors behind and bypassed Viscount Stratford, who was swaying with the " Blade of Coldness " on his stomach, and ran towards Shermane was still sitting on the wooden crate.
Fors then flipped through " Lemano's Travel Notes " again, using another extraordinary ability to add another layer of restraint to Viscount Stratford before stepping out of the row of wooden crates where he was hiding and approaching the ancient, bronze-green cross first.
The sight she had just witnessed made her suspect that this was a Demigod- level item, or, according to the official explanation from Beyonder, a "level 1" Sealed Artifact.
The way Viscount Stratford carried and used the cross convinced her that its negative effects weren't so direct, and that she could try picking it up.
Of course, as a former " Astrologer ", Fors took out the pure crystal ball as she walked and quickly performed a Divination.
"No problem..." Fors glanced at the results and quickened her pace.
At this moment, Hugh rushed to Shermane's side, and looking at his friend who had become quite beautiful, he couldn't speak for a moment.
In her eyes, Shermane's condition was very wrong.
The Witch's hair all floated up, each strand becoming thick, like thin snakes.
Some of the "thin snakes" had eyes growing from their tips, while others had split mouths, making them look extremely eerie and terrifying.
On Shermane's face, mysterious black, oil-paint-like patterns emerged from the texture of his skin and quickly spread outwards and across his body.
Her slightly vacant eyes quickly reflected Hugh's image, gradually regaining some of their luster, though now filled with confusion and pain.
She then opened her mouth and said haltingly:
"Hugh... I'm in so much pain..."
Hugh's vision blurred instantly.
Although she still needs to accumulate a lot of detailed common sense about the mysterious world, after all, the Tarot Club discusses things at a very high level, and the intelligence provided by Military Intelligence Section 9 is biased towards Concealment organizations, she still knows quite a bit about being out of control. In the circle of wild Beyonder, this is something that cannot be avoided.
Therefore, Hugh knew that Shermane had begun to spiral out of control, that it was irreversible, and that the situation would only worsen.
Shermane seemed to realize her condition, took a breath, gave a poignant smile, and said with difficulty:
"Kill me... I've done... many wrong things that I must repent for... I've also obtained... what I wanted..."
Hugh's tears fell drop by drop. Without hesitation, he drew his spare weapon, a very ordinary revolver.
She then pressed the revolver against Shermane's forehead.
Shermane smiled, and his eyes regained their captivating gleam:
Call me, call me Shermane...
" Shermane." Hugh's face contorted involuntarily, her eyes welling up with tears.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
She pulled the trigger repeatedly, firing the bullets inside.
One by one, the flowers bloomed, vibrant red and beautiful.
Fors watched this scene, her lips unconsciously pursed.
After a two-second pause, she let out a long sigh, bent down, and reached out her hand to the verdigris-colored cross.
The moment her fingers touched the object, it was like touching fire—hot and scorching, burning her very soul.
Fors instinctively withdrew his hand, both surprised and suspicious.
She remembered that Viscount Stratford had never behaved like this before!
In a flash, Fors glanced at Viscount Stratford, then kicked the verdigris cross toward that spot, toward Hugh who was nearby.
"Give it a try."
"Also, we need to leave immediately. The commotion just now will definitely attract the attention of official Beyonder! And who knows what that person who left the 'comment' will do!"
With red eyes, Hugh didn't say a word, but simply bent down and picked up the verdigris-colored cross, showing no discomfort throughout the process.
Uh... Fors didn't ask anything, but walked to the stiff Viscount Stratford's side and glanced warily to the left and right.
After putting away the verdigris cross, Shermane's body and took two steps back to Viscount Stratford's side.
"That item is very valuable, and his status is also very important. We will definitely become the main targets of the royal family's pursuit. We have to make some interference..." Fors looked down at Viscount Stratford, speaking as if to himself or in thought.
She quickly made a decision, raised her hands, lowered her head, and devoutly recited the name of " The Fool ".
She didn't think that giving up the verdigris cross would diminish her and Hugh's importance or prevent the royal family from pursuing them, so without hesitation, she directly asked Mr. The Fool for help.
For her, even offering that item as a sacrifice to Mr. The Fool would be better than leaving it at the scene.
Almost simultaneously, she saw a holy Angel with twelve pairs of fiery wings on its back.
The Angel materialized as a phantom, descending from the sky and enveloping her and Hugh in layers of fiery wings.
As the scene faded, Fors was about to say something when he suddenly trembled, sensing a terrifying and evil feeling flowing from the void.
Her gaze sharpened, and without hesitation, she squatted down, reaching out to grab Hugh and Viscount Stratford's calves.
At the same time, the last dark blue stone with burn marks on the bracelet on her wrist emitted a pale blue and ethereal light.
In an instant, Fors, Hugh, Viscount Stratford, and Shermane became transparent and disappeared from the spot.
In the blink of an eye, they left the Dock Borough and appeared on the outskirts of St. George Borough's.
During this process, Fors also used his extraordinary " Scribe " abilities to successfully "copy" a " Travel ".
After surveying the surroundings and confirming that the place was secluded and uninhabited, belonging to the mountains and forests, Fors released his grip on Hugh and Viscount Stratford's calves and straightened up.
"With Mr. The Fool's Angel blessing, we should be safe now. The one who left the message definitely won't be able to lock onto us anymore," Fors said with a sigh of relief, though still slightly shaken. "At least a Saint descended last; thankfully we escaped quickly..."
Hugh gently laid Shermane's body down and said thoughtfully:
"If the person who left the message is Shermane's monitor, then she has likely already found out where we live, and we can no longer go back there."
"Yes, let's change locations," Fors said expertly, then turned his gaze to the unconscious and stiff Viscount Stratford. "Now we can begin questioning him; let's hurry."
As she spoke, she handed " Lemano's Travel Notes " to Hugh and added a note:
"There's a ' Mind Reading ' feature on it, to be used with candlelight. Also, start with simple, unimportant questions to lower resistance."
Hugh took the magic book with a serious expression, but his wrist suddenly trembled, and he could no longer hold " Lemano's Travel Notes ".
Snap, copper green
The notebook fell to the ground, and Hugh frowned, saying:
"It's like a flame..."
Fors had a similar experience just now, and after a moment's thought, he said:
"Try throwing that cross away."
After Hugh followed her advice, he successfully picked up " Lemano's Travel Notes ".
"It rejects other magical items..." Fors nodded slightly as he saw this.
Hugh didn't dwell on the question and quickly prepared a lit candle.
Then, she drew her " Blade of Coldness," freeing Viscount Stratford from his stiff, lifeless state, as if possessed by Evil Spirit.
When the palace guard captain slowly regained consciousness, she activated the corresponding page of the "notebook".
Viscount Stratford became dazed, his eyes fixed only on the dim candlelight.
"Why did Shermane approach you?" Hugh asked the question he had just thought of.
Viscount Stratford replied blankly:
"She wants to investigate who I'm truly loyal to."
Xiu paused for a moment, then instinctively asked:
"Whom do you truly pledge allegiance to?"
Viscount Stratford said slowly:
"Of course, it's His Majesty the King."